It's a hairstyle that throws it away. Sophisticated, precise, regular ... At first glance, the African braid has enough to discourage the novices. However, for several tens of minutes spent tangling your hair, 3 or 4 unsuccessful attempts and many minutes of intense reflection, you end up getting there (if you are assured!). So, we decided to avoid the disappointments and to give you some tricks that really simplify life.

How to make an African braid?

Once you have mastered the basic technique, you can create a multitude of hairstyles. So we put on our sleeves and we start.

  1. Take 3 equal locks on the top of the head.
  2. Pass the right bit towards the center. (The wick that was in the center at the beginning is now on the right and the right wick at the center)
  3. Pass the left wick in the center (the wick that was right at the very beginning is left on the left and the wick that was in the center is right)
  4. Pass the rightmost wick (formerly center wick) in the center. Take a wick from the right side and add it to this wick.
  5. Pass the leftmost wick (formerly right wick) in the center. Take a wick on the left side and add it to this wick.
  6. Continue by alternately putting each strand in the center and always adding a strand of hair.
  7. Continue until you have added all the strands in the braid.
  8. Finish the hairstyle with a 'normal' braid and hold with a rubber band.

One proceeds of course on hair extremely well detangled and previously brushed to avoid knots.

What is an African braid?

In Antiquity , in Egypt in particular, men and women wore this hairstyle indistinctly. By spreading in the rest of Black Africa , the braid becomes symbolic: it represents the belonging to a caste and is worn on special occasions. Today, braided hairstyles are extremely popular. This is due in large part to the African-American culture which has made it possible to broadcast this type of hairstyle through films, clips, emblematic personalities ... Today, the name 'African tress' refers to the very small braids cover the entire head as the braid that leaves the top of the head and allows to hold back all the locks. Good to know: If we speak of African braids, on the other side of the Atlantic it is the expression 'French braids' (VF) which designates this second type of hairstyle